Insights and Opinions on Workplace Wellness from over 60 Organizations.

As part of 2009’s first annual National Employee Wellness Month, over 60 organizations which actively support and offer wellness and physical activity programs were asked to provide their insights and opinions on workplace wellness. Contributing HR managers, benefits managers, and employees answered questions about wellness, preventive health behaviors, and the effectiveness of workplace wellness programs. And the results are in:

THE TOP 3 REASONS WHY ORGANZATIONS IMPLEMENTED A WELLNESS PROGRAM

  1. the need to control rising healthcare costs (85%)
  2. a high prevalence of unhealthy behaviors among their workforce (79%)
  3. a desire to be a leader in corporate wellness (51%)

THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS IN SELECTING A WELLNESS PROGRAM

  1. the program’s ability to sustain ongoing employee participation (87%)
  2. the program’s ability to report measurable results (81%)
  3. senior level support of the program (72%)
  4. the program’s ability to align with overall healthcare strategy (62%)

THE TOP REASONS WHY THEIR WELLNESS PROGRAMS ARE SUCCESSFUL

  1. the program’s integration of financial incentives (80%)
  2. the program’s ability to report measurable results (70%)
  3. the program’s ability to sustain ongoing employee participation (60%)
  4. vendor support during roll-out (60%)

45% OF ORGANIZATIONS ARE SEEING EVIDENCE OF A HEALTHIER WORKFORCE SINCE IMPLEMENTING THEIR PROGRAM. HERE’S WHAT THEY’RE SEEING:

  1. increased levels of physical activity (85%)
  2. improved workforce morale (75%)
  3. sustained levels of participation (70%)
  4. improved health, including reduction in chronic conditions, improvement in biometric measures (70%)
  5. lower health care costs and medical claims (20%)

100% BELIEVE EMPLOYERS SHOULD OFFER WELLNESS PROGRAMS TO EMPLOYEES!

THE TOP 3 REASONS WHY EMPLOYEES JOINED A WELLNESS PROGRAM

  1. financial incentives (72%)
  2. the ability to set goals and track progress (50%)
  3. to improve their health (50%)

THE KEY BENEFITS THAT EMPLOYEES ARE EXPERIENCING AS A RESULT OF PARTICIPATION

  1. increased physical activity (83%)
  2. more energy, feeling better (81%)
  3. weight loss (lower BMI) (46%)
  4. financial rewards (37%)
  5. improvements in a health condition (20%)

THE TOP 3 REASONS WHY THE PROGRAM IS HELPING EMPLOYEES REACH THEIR GOALS

  1. financial rewards (57%)
  2. the ability to fit the program into their lifestyle (57%)
  3. the ability to track progress toward goals (55%)

EMPLOYEES ARE MOST INTERESTED IN PARTCIPATING IN THESE KINDS OF WELLNESS INITIATIVES:

  1. physical activity programs (70%)
  2. on-site fitness centers (55%)
  3. healthy on-site food choices (50%)
  4. discounted health club memberships (46%)
  5. weight management programs (42%)

76% OF EMPLOYEES AGREE THAT SOCIAL ELEMENTS OF A WELLNESS PROGRAM HELP THEM STAY COMMITTED

89% OF EMPLOYEES AGREE THAT FINANCIAL INCENTIVES ARE IMPORTANT FOR PARTICIPATOIN

What can YOU doto help increase awareness about the importance of workplace wellness?

As an employee

  • Share this web site with your employer
  • Inquire about what initiatives your organization has in place to promote healthy activity
  • Get more active at work and encourage your coworkers to do the same
    • Take the stairs instead of the elevator
    • Grab a far-away parking spot
    • Organize lunchtime walking groups
  • Wellness is important in the workplace, but be sure to take it home with you. Get active at home and encourage your family to do the same
    • Take evening walks together after dinner
    • Elect to play baseball instead of watch baseball this Summer
    • Take your dog for longer walks

As an employer

  • As a first step, review your current health and productivity programs and determine if they are helping to improve employee health and address healthcare costs
  • Review case studies, statistics, and calculators to help you determine how much you can save through health and productivity programs
  • Encourage positive employee health behavior with special incentives and recognition
  • This page will be updated throughout the year to highlight new contributions.